Anabolic Resistance, 2026, is this a real thing?

(Denise) #1

I get a lot of scam-ads on my app for weather, and yep, one caught my eye this a.m. or at least I’m pretty sure it’s a scam. I see a ton of posts about it though when I searched here on KF.

So, can we talk about the possibility of it having some truth to it, “some” at least?

I am getting all the protein, I’m sure, but I am having a hard time with muscles in my legs. I’m now starting my Creatine again, as Dr. Bret Scher thinks it’s good stuff. I only do one tsp, so I don’t od on it and read that mostly, it’s about being consistent with taking it each day, same time I figure.

What do you all think about this topic today? Most posts are previous years, thanks much, Denise PS this is about the AR in older folks, and I get too much of “it’s just age” from doctors. It’s their “go to” when they don’t have any sound answer :crazy_face: or, “shut up about it and just take this pill” :wink:

(Central Florida Bob ) #2

Sorry, Denise, but do you mean is “Anabolic Resistance” itself real or some specific way to work out for it? Is creatine worth it? I’m not sure. Going through my second jar of it now and trying to figure out if it has done anything. IIRC, BobM ( @ctviggen ) was talking about research he was doing in to creatine with the same doubts.

FWIW, when I read things like the descriptions of Anabolic Resistance I just substitute the word aging. The practice of renaming much of what we see in our lives is everywhere. Generally, as you lean toward in your opening sentence, coming up with a name like Anabolic Resistance is the first step to leading you toward, “I know how to fix it better than anyone else.”

For whatever that was worth. :wink:

(Bob M) #3

Creatine does seem to do some “stuff”, mainly making more “poofy” muscles for me. I did not gain any strength that I could see.

I was taking about 10 grams/day. That was 2 scoops they gave. For the brain, they recommend 20 grams/day. I did not go that high.

I used at least 3 bottles if not 4 bottles. Took it every day unless I fasted.

I’ve stopped for a while, and I can’t really tell a difference. That may be because my favorite meat is “red” meat (mainly beef, though lamb is good too).

I might get more creatine naturally, though some say supplementation is still needed. From a quick search, I get results like 5 grams creatine per kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of beef. That’s not much, because to get 10 grams, I’d need to eat 4.4 pounds of beef in a day. That’s not happening.

What issues are you having with your legs?

(Denise) #4

hello Bob, I appreciate you telling me your experience with creatine. I took it maybe a full week when I ordered it awhile back. The reason was the same, my calf-muscles are the only ones bothering me. When I walk up my fave street, it’s about 15 min. up, then 15 min back home. It’s just a bit of a challenge, which I love the fact it actually works my leg muscles. But last year, I was doing it regularly, felt great for months, then one day I added another street with incline, and ended up limping my way home, as my calf muscle, just one, actually felt painful and like my muscle was injured, not bad enough to call for help of course.

So had to stay home, no leg exercises at all, for maybe just under a week. I started walking, easier, not as fast, and none of the more steep hills. All was fine for a few more weeks doing easier things. Then, I guess I pushed a bit too hard again, but I didn’t think I had, and it happened again. So then I’ve been resting it again, but both legs/calfs did the same thing, and now, the bad pain doesn’t come, just my legs feel super hard, full, sort of , and very tired before I even do a thing, Denise PS I tried the creatine for couple of days again, but quit for now. I wasn’t ever taking creatine when this all started.

(Edith) #5

How’s your salt and magnesium intake? If you are not getting enough electrolytes, your muscles can have a hard time recovering.

I didn’t read the whole paper, yet; but it does seem anabolic resistance is not a scam, it is a real thing.

Edit: This one looks pretty good, too.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322008924

(Denise) #6

I can’t pinpoint the electrolytes, I guess, unless I am tested. I supplement with Potassium, plenty of salt in my diet, or I think it’s “plenty” for me, and I eat mostly meat, fats, 10-29 carbs a day, and drink regular water (16 oz, only 2 a day usually more). Some might say I’m doing everything right, but what is “right” for me, maybe I still don’t know.

For example, I’m starting to actually be in the habit of leaning on my counter when I do dishes. My legs feel very tight, not pain or ache. I wish I knew myself, the answer to your question Edith, but I can tell you I am doing maybe the best I can, with water, and 2 meals a day, nothing but water after 3 p.m. I’m feeling tired just thinking about it :unamused: Thank you, I’m opening your link now, Denise :slight_smile:

(Central Florida Bob ) #7

If you have pure potassium chloride available, a relatively simple experiment is to increase potassium, for example, by just dissolving a quarter teaspoon in a glass of water and seeing if it makes a difference. The Nu-Salt I use says that’s another 500 mg. of potassium.

My once a day electrolyte drink had been 1/4 tsp of that and 1/4 tsp of Real Salt. Until I reduced carbs back to under 20/day most days. I started getting lower leg cramps again and increased the Real Salt to 1/2 tsp and left the potassium at 1/4. Cramps went away again.

Leaning on the counter - I noticed the other day that I tend to lean on the dresser to take off my socks while standing in the bedroom. That’s new. I think that’s a sign to increase exercises that are done while standing. Move more.

(Edith) #8

I have to admit, 32 ounces of water a day seem pretty low. Maybe you are slightly dehydrated? Dehydrated muscles cannot perform optimally.

Magnesium is also an electrolyte you might want to look into. One of the many symptoms of magnesium deficiency is aching and cramping muscles. This book is fascinating. Just ignore all the plugs for her own supplements.

(Denise) #9

I thought I mentioned my 500 mg a day Magnesium Citrate? I probably drink more water that 2 of those, but I am 5’ 2", and 109 lbs, so I am thinking I don’t need as much as some folks. I also am not able to lift right now, and no heavier walking, I think I’m good, but need to have some blood work as I sure haven’t had anything show up on mag, pot, or salt, usually middle of the road on all my blood work.

I have the book though, had it for years, so I can take a look at it again too :slight_smile:

(Denise) #10

My leg cramps are gone, this is not like a cramp at all, and my foot cramps are gone as well.

I’ll just keep going on what I am doing now. I know I have one thing no one here knows much about so i won’t even go there with that info. And to be fair, there is also no doctor I’ve ever seen that knows anything about a slow Taper or Clonazepam, that I still have a few months left of that issue, Denise

There a few “doctors” making big money of their books on it likely the Maudsley Deperscribing Manual, mostly “their” theories, nothing proving as a goto for that, don’t waste money if you are ever need to get off a benzo. guess I went into anyway, so there you have it.